Steering Committee Letter to the Ridge 2000 Research Community- May 2008
The Ridge 2000 Program (R2K) is moving into an exciting phase, wherein the results of our previous multi-disciplinary expeditions are brought to bear in advancing models of linked geo-biological processes within the oceanic spreading center and associated hydrothermal systems. The renewal of R2K for a final phase, where the dominant activity shifts from major data acquisitions to synthesis of interdisciplinary results, has been recommended by an external review panel and endorsed by NSF ( http://www.ridge2000.org/science/program_review_2008/). The panel recognized the excellence of the science targeted by the R2K Program and their recommendations aim to ensure achievement of our interdisciplinary goals by the Program's completion. In light of the panel recommendations, community input, and discussions over the last year, the Steering Committee (StCom) aims to clarify priorities that we believe are paramount to achieving R2K goals.
Increased emphasis on integration and synthesis: The review panel noted that increased emphasis on integration and synthesis of R2K results is necessary. We agree with this assessment. StCom envisions this will involve compilation of existing data, integration of multidisciplinary results, and development of models that examine the interplay between linked spreading, hydrothermal, and ecosystem processes. StCom and the R2K Office plan to actively assist and foster integration and synthesis efforts through a series of targeted workshops, beginning this year with groups focused on site-specific studies at East Pacific Rise, Lau, and Endeavour. Site-centric workshops are a starting point, but we envision other focused, small workshops and web-teleconferences to take place in the future. In particular, with focus on process-oriented themes such as the understanding of interfaces and fluxes, variations with spreading rate, or the tempos and time constants governing evolution of linked components. Stimulation of the publication of interdisciplinary studies will be a goal in these R2K-sponsored activities.
The review panel also recommended that R2K focus efforts more specifically on model testing and development. StCom agrees that this can spur new recognition of structure within some data or, conversely, ways that the data inform model feasibility or the range of possible physical and chemical parameters. We also believe these efforts will make the existing data more available and accessible to the broader scientific community. Our expectation is that refined conceptual models will play an important role in advancing our understanding of this "mantle to microbe" system and that quantitative testing of physical/chemical/biological models is now poised for advance in some of the linked parts of the system. PI’s are encouraged to develop proposals for in-depth analysis, testing, and refinement of models.
Existing data from any oceanic spreading center may be brought to bear in designing studies that will advance understanding of any part of the spreading and associated hydrothermal systems and the ways that interplay between that component and other, linked ridge processes occurs. Proposals that synthesize and integrate knowledge from any location are welcome during this final phase of the Program, if the objective is to contrast/compare to R2K Integrated Study Site (ISS) results, thereby advancing understanding of mantle to microbe linkages.
Data Acquisition: As R2K shifts into a dominantly science integration final phase, the scope of R2K-supported fieldwork will be much more limited than during the initial phase of the program. From 2009 onward, any R2K field proposal must specifically target previously unexamined linkages within the system. High priority can be designated for studies that test specific model predictions. StCom sees potential for truly integrative field work during the culminating phase of R2K. However, PI’s will need to make a very clear case for how collection of new field data is crucial for new progress toward Program goals that can be accomplished within the timeframe of R2K, for which the last year of new funding will be 2012. All other spreading center, hydrothermal and ecosystem field proposals should be submitted to OCE core programs. NSF will accept proposals for field work at any ridge site beginning with the August 15, 2008, deadline. Feel free to contact the R2K Office (ridge2000@ucsd.edu, 858-534-8858) or NSF program managers if you are unsure about where to submit a particular field proposal. Recall that R2K proposals have an annual January 15 deadline.
There is a change from the StCom position stated in the "ISS Transition Plan" (e.g. Summer 2007 R2K Newsletter, p. 5), and it reflects the increased emphasis on integration and synthesis adopted in the final phase of R2K. There will not be a R2K ISS on the MAR, due to limited time remaining in the Program and the need to fund significant synthesis efforts to fulfill the Program goals. However, in light of the significant work underway by InterRidge colleagues along the MAR 35° – 37.5°N, StCom sees potential for advancing key aspects of R2K Integrated Studies - and potentially Time Critical Studies- at this site. We think a few strong MAR field proposals may warrant R2K consideration during the final phase of the Program, in particular those that: 1) leverage off previous R2K developments (to foster specific tests of model predictions between focus sites); and 2) are complementary to ongoing efforts by InterRidge colleagues. StCom also recognizes that a crucial missing link could become apparent during the integration/synthesis of data from the East Pacific Rise, Endeavour, or Lau ISS. A specifically targeted field program at these, or any other uniquely-suited sites may be important.
Importance of open data access: StCom agrees with the review panel that improving access to all R2K data is crucial throughout the final phase of the Program. The R2K Office will be contacting each funded PI in the coming month to discuss data submittals, and will be working with each PI to ensure access to 'derived' data products that are necessary for R2K investigators to proceed with integration, synthesis, and model development or testing. The R2K office will also be working with NSF to ensure that all R2K-funded PI's are compliant with the Program's Data Policy.
As we look toward the year-end transition from the current R2K Office to the next Office we are pleased to have a very active member of the community ready to step forward to Chair the StCom for the 2009–2012 period. Dan Fornari has played an integral role throughout the RIDGE and R2K Programs. Together with him, we are certain that we can ensure mechanisms that will allow our community to excel and reach the potential that we know exists, to advance to a next level of understanding about one of the most fundamental interdependent geo-biological systems on Earth: the oceanic spreading centers and their hydrothermally driven ecosystems.